Inspirations

  I  am thankful today for the valuable gift of time. What a blessing that it is given to each person with impartiality. No one gets more or less than twenty-four hours in a day. Each person is responsible for how they use their time. I am reminded not to  spend all my time working, I can use my time to invest in people.  I can give time to my children and family, help an elderly person, Listen to someone who is struggling. I am grateful that  as time moves on, it  can change things, but mostly, it changes how we see things.  Often a moment,  changes everything as well. I am grateful for the reminder to live well; and make time for what really matters.

  We go to the sink and get some water from the faucet to drink.  We put some water in a pan so we can cook. We toss clothes in a washer, push a button, and wallah we wash clothes. We jump in the shower and hot and cold water is at our disposal. None of us would dream of using dirty, muddy water for any of these tasks. I am grateful that I have clean water to use. It's easy to take the blessing of water for granted, using it without a second thought. So, thank you, God, for the blessing of water. Some people live in places with little to no water, and it's not fresh. Their water is dirty and they  share it with animals. So as you drink some crisp, clean, refreshing water Thank God that you have this luxury. It's easy to forget that not everyone is blessed with clean water. Here is a  link that you can use if you want to help people in other countries to have fresh water. http://waterwellsforafrica.org/

  Today was my turn to teach Sunday School.   Usually, I have a well-organized plan and know exactly what I hope to achieve.   This week was different.   The lady that usually taught could no longer teach, so I ended up with her position.   I knew I wanted to have a Thanksgiving theme but had no idea how to achieve that with this group.   Last night, I had a rough idea of verses to use and a general plan.   As I began the lesson, God put together a lesson way better than one that I would have done.   The lesson was God's.   I am thankful that God often uses our weaknesses  and inabilities to do what we could never do on our own.    It was a perfect lesson, taught by an imperfect person.   I love the times when this happens because it reminds me that  it is ok to not have it all together every time.  

  Today, as I sit here sipping a cup of steaming hot coffee that is perfect for the cold fall day, I am Thankful that God inspired someone to use beans in this way and I am thankful that I can afford the luxury. There are so many other simple pleasures that I enjoy, lunch with my husband,  or shopping with a friend. I am thankful for smiles  and hugs, or a simple gesture that can lift my spirits. Another thing that I enjoy is sitting on the porch in the summer soaking up the sun. The list of  what you enjoy is probably way different than this, however, I am sure that you have your own list of things you enjoy, your simple pleasures. I am thankful that God gives us these things that give us a little enjoyment to settle the chaos in a crazy life.

Today, as I was walking across a local parking lot,  a car started backing out just as I was walking behind it.  Fortunately, I saw it and scurried out of the way just in time.    As I continued my  jaunt to the car,  I was reminded of God's protection.   In my life, there have been many times that God has protected me.    At times the protection was very obvious and real.    Other times, the protection was not so obvious but just as real.    I am thankful that God is always taking care of us  when we know it and even when we don't.

 The painted skies declare your glory,  and delicate flowers that whisper your praise. Mountains that reach the sky and declare your glory. The moon and all the starry hosts shout your praise as well. The waterfalls, roaring with laughter F Every insect we see gives glory to you. The Birds and animals praise your name.        E verything you created; for all the glory it displays, I thank you.  

  Thank you for the springtime  when the sun is warming the ground,  And e verything is bursting forth with new life.     Spring brings p romise and hope. Thank you, God, for summer.  Thank you for the time when nature is full of life.  The days are long,  and there are birds and flowers all  around .  S ummer is the fulfillment of the promise that spring held. Thank you, God, for the fall. For quiet days. Thank you for the beauty of the autumn trees. Thank you for the cool days of fall.                                                                                                Thank you, God, for winter when the weather is cold and everything appears dead. Thank you for the quiet days and the ...